Astana, 24 October. For 25 October, Kazhydromet forecasts dry weather across Kazakhstan but frosts down to −10 °C in the south-east, fog, stronger winds and dust storms in the west and south, the weather service said.
Frosts of −1 to −10 °C are expected in Zhetysu, Zhambyl and Almaty regions, in the north of Turkestan region and in the north and centre of Kyzylorda region. According to the storm warning, the coldest will be Taldykorgan, with −8 to −10 °C at night, and Taraz, with −5 to −7 °C. Around the Alakol lakes gusts will at times reach 23–28 m/s, and in Zhambyl region also up to 28 m/s.
Dust storms with gusts of 15–20 m/s are forecast in the west, north and centre of Mangystau region, in the west and south of Atyrau region, and in Kyzylorda region and the city of Kyzylorda. Fog is expected at night and in the morning over most of the north, east and centre of the country, including Uralsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Petropavlovsk. An extreme fire hazard persists in Atyrau, Kyzylorda, Karaganda and Ulytau regions and in Zhezkazgan.
The major cities will stay dry: Astana −3...−5 °C at night and +6...+8 °C during the day; Almaty −2...−4 °C at night and +6...+8 °C during the day; Shymkent +2...+4 °C at night and +13...+15 °C during the day, with gusts of up to 20 m/s.
Forecasters are offering a dry, clear Republic Day, complete with fog, dust storm or frost depending on the region.
What it means: The holiday will pass without rain or snow, but with the first serious frosts in the south and dangerous winds in several regions.
Who benefits: The forecast concerns above all drivers, whose holiday trips fog and gusty winds will complicate, and residents of the south and south-east, where frost will set in at night. The authorities have not announced any additional measures.
Background: 25 and 26 October are days off in Kazakhstan for Republic Day. An extreme fire hazard class means that even a small source of fire in the steppe can cause a large fire.
